Gravitate Accounting has appointed Martin Dean as director of corporate finance, leading its newly-established department. Dean, a senior corporate finance manager with 11 years at Shorts Accountants, joins as a shareholder. His role involves mentoring and coaching the upcoming corporate finance professionals. Gravitate plans team expansion, emphasising dynamic, supportive, and collaborative cultural values. Dean anticipates challenges in the transaction marketplace but sees potential H2 growth. His focus is on providing strategic advice to clients, facilitating informed decisions, and navigating complex market conditions for optimal deal negotiations.
Simon Watson has assumed the role of senior partner at Lovewell Blake, succeeding Mark Proctor. With nearly three decades at the firm, Watson, a corporate services partner, maintains client engagement, particularly in manufacturing, retail, real estate, and construction. His leadership aims at sustaining and enhancing client service levels. Watson, the UK representative member of HLB International’s audit committee, values involvement at the ‘sharp end’ and vows to prioritise client-focused business ethos in his senior partner role. Proctor continues as a partner, leading the specialist charities and schools team at Lovewell Blake.
BK Plus has completed the acquisition of Andorran Chartered Accountants, marking a strategic move into the South West region. With Andorran’s base in Cheltenham, the acquisition prompts BK Plus to relocate to a new office in Gloucestershire. Andorran, a leading independent firm since 1998, boasts 15 staff and a strong reputation. The merger enhances BK Plus’s presence, emphasising commitment to SMEs. Roger Downes, managing director of Andorran, sees the alignment with BK Plus as an opportunity to amplify client value, combining resources and expertise for continued growth in Gloucestershire.
Wolters Kluwer Tax and Accounting has introduced CCH iFirm, a cloud-based practice management and compliance software, to the UK market. The platform, known for efficiency and scalability in North America and Asia Pacific, offers integrated workflows, real-time data access, and adherence to top industry security standards. CCH iFirm facilitates automation, data analysis, and reporting, enhancing productivity for tax and accountancy practices. The UK launch, the first in Europe, provides existing users of Wolters Kluwer CCH Central with a choice for a one-off switch or phased transition to the new cloud platform.
